Strange ice formation, gravity-defying ?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the formation of an inverted icicle, referred to as an ice stalagmite, observed in a mug of water left outside in freezing temperatures. Participants explore potential physical explanations for this phenomenon, including references to existing literature on similar occurrences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes observing an inverted icicle forming in a mug of water without a clear source of dripping water, seeking a physical explanation for the phenomenon.
  • Another participant points to a link that purportedly explains the formation of ice spikes, suggesting that the original poster has found their answer.
  • The original poster acknowledges the link and expresses understanding of the material, indicating that they were aware of the explanation but still sought further discussion.
  • There is a suggestion of frustration regarding the perceived redundancy of the original question, with the poster contemplating whether to delete their post.
  • A later reply expresses appreciation for the original poster's contribution, indicating that the discussion is valued despite the perceived redundancy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessity of the original question, with some suggesting it has been answered while others appreciate the ongoing discussion. The explanation of the phenomenon remains a point of contention, as not all participants agree on the sufficiency of the provided link.

Contextual Notes

The discussion references external material that may contain assumptions or definitions not fully explored within the thread itself. The complexity of the physical processes involved in ice formation is acknowledged but not resolved.

murrmac
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Can anybody explain how this inverted icicle could have come to be formed ?

This mug of water had been sitting outside for a few days, last night the temperature in Edinburgh dropped to below zero, and this morning I saw that this ice stalagmite had formed.

There was no source of dripping water which could have caused this, is there a simple physical explanation for what I see as a strange phenomenon ?

This is not a hoax or wind-up btw, there was no fakery involved, and this is a genuine untouched picture, ( I have taken the mug inside and put it in my freezer to preserve it )

icicleh.jpg


EDIT: I see that this is not the first time this has been posted on the Forum , this thread from two years ago https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=273135 contains a useful link to a paper in which the phenomenon is discussed and explained at some length.

As I might have guessed, if you search for "ice spike" on Youtube, there are several videos there depicting ice spikes of various shapes and sizes.
 
Last edited:
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jarednjames said:
If you read the link poster by mender (http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/icespikes/icespikes.htm) in the thread you linked to, it explains them perfectly. You answered your own question.

Yes, I did read, and understand, the material in the link to which you refer.

Hence my posting the EDIT to the first post, in which I included the sentence :

..."https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=273135 contains a useful link to a paper in which the phenomenon is discussed and explained at some length" ...

Maybe I should just have deleted the entire post ?
 
murrmac said:
Maybe I should just have deleted the entire post ?

No! Thanks for not doing that.
 

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